O - M - G !!!! 
Mother Nature at her worst! You and your "buddy" have my sympathies. That's going to take some work. Hope your insurance fully covered the loss.
Storm damage repairs
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 40
Likes: 1
From: Durban KZN
Storm damage repairs
I have a 73 coupe which a tree fell on last week. The window frame is buckled and the frame bent down behind the front body mounts behind the front wheels as it was on jack stands. I don't think I'll have much trouble getting th frame straightened out, but I have no idea of the work required to fix the window frame and nose. What should I keep my eye out for when stripping? are the door to door front mouldings by ACI (hand lay-up) any good.What repair route should I look at - try get a donor car shipped here - or buy the parts - the car is insured but the no Panel beaters around want to touch this job so it's a DIY. NOTE I am in South Africa.
http://www.mz-zone.com/PictDia.php?D=My%20Vette&StNo=0
the storm damage folder
http://www.mz-zone.com/PictDia.php?D=My%20Vette&StNo=0
the storm damage folder
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,921
Likes: 0
From: GA "When I grow up, I'm gonna get a Trans Am and run from the cops". Direct quote from my 4yo son.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
Sorry about my ingnorance of South Africa.
How many Corvettes are down there (ballpark) and is it difficult to import one?
I know you guys make some of the best GT 40 replicas in the world. Your Flying Lyons/dam video is probably the best precision flying I have ever seen!
How many Corvettes are down there (ballpark) and is it difficult to import one?
I know you guys make some of the best GT 40 replicas in the world. Your Flying Lyons/dam video is probably the best precision flying I have ever seen!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,740
Likes: 3
From: Aurora Ontario
looks like a nice car. Seems like you have a bit of money into it. Try and save it.
I've seen worse. You need to take a closer look. Rmove the front clip. Save what you can. Have the frame pulled first. Can't tell if the driverside of the windshield buckled upwards or if the passenger side took a hit and was pushed down. Once the frame is straight it should give you a better idea.
The windshield frame can be replaced or it to can be pulled by the frame machine. If you pull it make sure the frame is rust free and solid. Remove the windshield. Have them use the "T" tops to line the windshield frame up if they pull it. They usually pull it a fraction of an inch at a time. I'm guessing it will take 8 or more hours to fix it....if it can be fixed.
Some frame machines are extremely advanced. If you can find a shop that has a computer controlled machine you may be able to input the specs for the main frame and windshield frame let it automatically do the job.
Jim
Jim
I've seen worse. You need to take a closer look. Rmove the front clip. Save what you can. Have the frame pulled first. Can't tell if the driverside of the windshield buckled upwards or if the passenger side took a hit and was pushed down. Once the frame is straight it should give you a better idea.
The windshield frame can be replaced or it to can be pulled by the frame machine. If you pull it make sure the frame is rust free and solid. Remove the windshield. Have them use the "T" tops to line the windshield frame up if they pull it. They usually pull it a fraction of an inch at a time. I'm guessing it will take 8 or more hours to fix it....if it can be fixed.
Some frame machines are extremely advanced. If you can find a shop that has a computer controlled machine you may be able to input the specs for the main frame and windshield frame let it automatically do the job.
Jim
Jim
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 40
Likes: 1
From: Durban KZN
Sorry about my ingnorance of South Africa.
How many Corvettes are down there (ballpark) and is it difficult to import one?
I know you guys make some of the best GT 40 replicas in the world. Your Flying Lyons/dam video is probably the best precision flying I have ever seen!
How many Corvettes are down there (ballpark) and is it difficult to import one?
I know you guys make some of the best GT 40 replicas in the world. Your Flying Lyons/dam video is probably the best precision flying I have ever seen!
As of about 8 years ago new legislation came that you can't register anymore left hand drive vehicles - existing are ok.
I am investigating importing a parts car. should be able to. Just need to find out what customs require - documentation wise and how stripped the vehicle must be. Used to be if it didn't have a steering wheel and head lights it was spares.
So to keep this vette I need to repair it - we work on the Chassis or VIN no here so if I can keep that I'm fine.
looks like a nice car. Seems like you have a bit of money into it. Try and save it.
I've seen worse. You need to take a closer look. Rmove the front clip. Save what you can. Have the frame pulled first. Can't tell if the driverside of the windshield buckled upwards or if the passenger side took a hit and was pushed down. Once the frame is straight it should give you a better idea.
The windshield frame can be replaced or it to can be pulled by the frame machine. If you pull it make sure the frame is rust free and solid. Remove the windshield. Have them use the "T" tops to line the windshield frame up if they pull it. They usually pull it a fraction of an inch at a time. I'm guessing it will take 8 or more hours to fix it....if it can be fixed.
Some frame machines are extremely advanced. If you can find a shop that has a computer controlled machine you may be able to input the specs for the main frame and windshield frame let it automatically do the job.
Jim
Jim
I've seen worse. You need to take a closer look. Rmove the front clip. Save what you can. Have the frame pulled first. Can't tell if the driverside of the windshield buckled upwards or if the passenger side took a hit and was pushed down. Once the frame is straight it should give you a better idea.
The windshield frame can be replaced or it to can be pulled by the frame machine. If you pull it make sure the frame is rust free and solid. Remove the windshield. Have them use the "T" tops to line the windshield frame up if they pull it. They usually pull it a fraction of an inch at a time. I'm guessing it will take 8 or more hours to fix it....if it can be fixed.
Some frame machines are extremely advanced. If you can find a shop that has a computer controlled machine you may be able to input the specs for the main frame and windshield frame let it automatically do the job.
Jim
Jim
- drivers window seems to line up the same, but I havn't really had a close look. I haven't opened the passenger side door yet either. I think the passenger side frame is to badly bent to pull straight - so it's a cut and weld there.
Anyone used the ACI Hand Lay-up replacement fronts?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,164
Likes: 7
From: Beringen
Take a good look before you really decide to invest. Replacing the windshield post can be a hassle, certainly if there is any birdcarge rust to it. From the looks of it, there is also engine and suspension damage.
Anything can be repaired, but it always boils down to cost vs what it is worth. I already see a lott of parts that are not repro'd (like the windshield moldings etc). Other parts are a major hassle to bring over (for example an entire front end. As me how I now) .Plus : if you dicide to use ACI parts (handlaid) it will no longer be original anymore and thus worth less.
It's a shame they won't lett you import these cars anymore because of the left hand drive.
If there are really that small amount of corvettes in your country, your parts will be worth a lott more than normally and you could be financially better off if you scrap the car and move to another project.
Sorry about your loss, but like I stated before, I would not repair by the looks of what I see already.
Yves
Anything can be repaired, but it always boils down to cost vs what it is worth. I already see a lott of parts that are not repro'd (like the windshield moldings etc). Other parts are a major hassle to bring over (for example an entire front end. As me how I now) .Plus : if you dicide to use ACI parts (handlaid) it will no longer be original anymore and thus worth less.
It's a shame they won't lett you import these cars anymore because of the left hand drive.
If there are really that small amount of corvettes in your country, your parts will be worth a lott more than normally and you could be financially better off if you scrap the car and move to another project.
Sorry about your loss, but like I stated before, I would not repair by the looks of what I see already.
Yves
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
I would repair it in a heartbeat in your situation.
It probably looks like a lot more damage than what there really is.
Minimum you need windshield, door glass, some windshield trim parts and a pass windshield post.
Considering your location and parts availability, I would think the car is worth a premium either in parts or complete, even if it's not ncrs material.
Depending on your skills it can be repaired fairly easily. The frame is no big deal to straighten, the glass can even be glued back together, if you have the desire or skills. Don't throw away any pieces.
Fiberglass always looks extemely bad to most people. Amnazing things can be done with it, once you know how.
If you have the space, time, willingness to learn and do it yourself. You already did a body off, so I would guess you qualify.
It probably looks like a lot more damage than what there really is.
Minimum you need windshield, door glass, some windshield trim parts and a pass windshield post.
Considering your location and parts availability, I would think the car is worth a premium either in parts or complete, even if it's not ncrs material.
Depending on your skills it can be repaired fairly easily. The frame is no big deal to straighten, the glass can even be glued back together, if you have the desire or skills. Don't throw away any pieces.
Fiberglass always looks extemely bad to most people. Amnazing things can be done with it, once you know how.
If you have the space, time, willingness to learn and do it yourself. You already did a body off, so I would guess you qualify.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 40
Likes: 1
From: Durban KZN
Fortunately We have a large no of V8's and hot rod enthusiasts and there are 3 speciality shops 1 in Cape town 1 in Jo'burg and 1 in Durban (where I am). They bring in a shipment every week. so if the part can be found in the US I can get it here without much trouble. I can get the nose here in 3 to 4 weeks.
As for the Car loosing value - Not too many experts around here and I think getting it back on the road is better than scrapping it?
so Far I think it's the front moulding - and hood the chassis needs a pull the suspension looks un bent and the window frame - no rust there. - the top half of the engine was off and the radiator was out.
Busy taking the engine block out now - can finnish building it in the garage now
P.S. before anyone asks the Garage is too short for a Vette
As for the Car loosing value - Not too many experts around here and I think getting it back on the road is better than scrapping it?
so Far I think it's the front moulding - and hood the chassis needs a pull the suspension looks un bent and the window frame - no rust there. - the top half of the engine was off and the radiator was out.
Busy taking the engine block out now - can finnish building it in the garage now
P.S. before anyone asks the Garage is too short for a Vette